Kendal Town Centre Strategy
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1 TOWN CENTRE STRATEGY 2020 2 Prepared by: Elliot Joddrell Urban Designer Checked by: Checked: Lee Anne Wood VeriƮ ed: Becky Mather Associate Director Regional Design Director Approved: Richard Green B&P Business Unit Lead (North) Rev Comments Checked VeriƮ ed Approved Date 1 Initial draft for comment LW BM RG 04/03/2019 2 Second draft BM LW RG 02/09/2019 3 Final document BM LW RG 21/02/2020 Tel 0161 601 1700 Job no. 60488067 Fax 0161 601 1799 Web www.aecom.com 3 TOWN CENTRE STRATEGY CONTENTS PART 1 01 Introduction................................................................................................5-13 02 Strategic Masterplan...........................................................................15-18 03 Key Inư uences.........................................................................................19-27 04 Strategy Themes...................................................................................28-49 PART 2 05 Opportunity Sites and Composite Masterplan.....................51-77 PART 3 06 Transport Options.................................................................................79-89 07 Appendices and References..........................................................91-97 4 5 INTRODUCTION 01 “The Kendal Town Centre Strategy aims to provide a blueprint for future investment and development which maximises the opportunities for Kendal, capitalises on its existing assets, and sets out a clear vision for Kendal in 2025; as a vibrant, sustainable, aspirational and diverse 21st century town”. 6 Executive Summary South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) routes for visitors to follow. It is recommended commissioned AECOM and Cushman & Wakefeld that in parallel the public realm is upgraded along (C&W) to prepare a Town Centre Strategy (the key routes. Strategy) to enable Kendal to evolve and develop in a way which responds positively to and As much as the Strategy looks to bring new and enhances the distinct character that makes exciting development opportunities to Kendal, it Kendal a unique place. The Strategy seeks to also seeks to enhance the assets that the town identify options and opportunities for future already boasts. For this reason, investment in the development and infrastructure which support the Brewery Arts Centre and Abbot Hall as town’s quality of place and enhance the historic complementary hubs and the launching point for and natural environment. Kendal’s culture oƬ er is considered. The Westmorland Shopping Centre’s central location Key considerations that have informed this is seen as having major potential to a refreshed process include market viability, ư ood risk, the retail oƬ er and shopping interaction and an historic environment and the transport system. All improved evening economy to the town. The of these are inư uenced by engagement with SLDC, estate of civic buildings are also considered as Cumbria County Council (CCC) members, Kendal opportunities; from creation of contemporary and Town Council (KTC), Kendal Futures, Kendal BID ư exible working environments to changing uses to and the Environment Agency as well as other key other functions such as boutique hotels or stakeholders. These are combined in a holistic residential developments. Some of the sites and approach and provide a foundation that will pave opportunities identiƮ ed are now progressing, the way to creating a cohesive, coherent and which reư ects positively for Kendal. balanced Kendal town centre. Kendal is already known for being home to several Kendal has been voted one of the UK’s most innovative commercial Ʈ rms. The Strategy aims to popular places to live due to its quality of life. It build on this existing position by developing and has a strong independent leisure and retail oƬ er improving linkages to and from the Town Centre in distinctive to the Town. Its historic character and addition to supporting the area to attract other natural landscape oƬ er visitors a unique innovative industries to become rooted in the experience and it also has a world class skilled town. manufacturing base which sits alongside a well-developed creative and cultural oƬ er. A fundamental challenge to Kendal’s function as a town is its constrained transport network. For all The River Kent is central to the Town’s character of the potential positive development and identity. Many local people value the river as a opportunities that are explored in this document major asset that should be utilised to its full to be cohesive, the transport system will require potential. Opportunities to enhance the riverside rethinking. The Strategy therefore identiƮ es high environment are presented, alongside level changes to the town’s transport system and connectivity improvements to the fragmented parking provision as a starting point for a future, riverside walkway. In addition to uplifting the more detailed study. At the time of writing, riverside as a place for pedestrians and cyclists to Cumbria County Council, in consultation with enjoy, waterfront residential developments are SLDC, are undertaking a Kendal Highways and recognised as complementary opportunities to Transport Improvements Study (KHTIS), available create reciprocal beneƮ ts whist taking into from CCC. CCC are also in the early stages of account the need to protect from ư ood events and preparing a Local Cycling and Walking climate change. Infrastructure Plan which may also be able to take forward some of the proposals in this strategy. Some of the primary gateways into the town centre need signiƮ cant improvement to present a This study identiƮ es key strengths, of which much better Ʈ rst impression of Kendal to visitors. Kendal has many, as well as its threats, Pedestrian, rail and vehicular travellers all weaknesses and objectives. It concludes with a experience varying degrees of poor quality composite Strategy that identiƮ es key issues that environment presently. Changes around Kendal should be addressed and aims to focus Railway Station are considered a priority to uplift development activity in order to uplift and turn the the sense of arrival for visitors to the Town Centre. town into a place that truly fulƮ ls its potential. Kendal Railway Station is an important access route for visitors, commuters and, school children. The Kendal Town Centre Strategy complements The introduction of vibrant new uses such as the long term aspirations set out in the Kendal pop-up artisan units and new residential blocks to Vision, developed by Kendal Futures. Together, these areas is explored as well as creating hubs both documents set out the vision and priorities to for arts, culture and media. Tying these gateways inspire change and support the public and private to the centre of the town will be an essential sector investment which will deliver the town’s 01 INTRODUCTION component of creating legible and attractive future prosperity. 1. 7 3. 2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 8. 10. 12. 11. 13. 14. 3D Illustration showing Kendal’s Opportunity Sites. 1. Former Magistrates Court 2. County Hall Campus 3. Longpool / Shap Rd 4. Station Gateway 5. Blackhall Road 6. Kendal Post OƱ ce 7. Westmorland Shopping Centre 15. 8. South Lakeland House 9. New Road 10. Canal Head 11. Brewery Arts Centre 12. Waterside Estate, Dowker’s Lane 13. Abbot Hall 14. Parkside Road North 15. K Village In progress Opportunity 8 The River Kent 9 Purpose of the Document Document Structure This document builds upon previous visioning This document is written in three parts; the Ʈ rst work established through the Evidence Base sets out the blueprint for the strategy, the Topic Paper, as well as the Canal Head second looks at the opportunity sites available Masterplan (2010), and the Kendal Transport today and assesses these against the primary Assessment (2009). The work has been Strategy objectives. It is envisaged that Part 2 underpinned by Cushman and Wakefeld’s 2017 can be updated over time as opportunities arise. market analysis, which reviews the current and Part 3 explores transport options and forms the potential oƱ ce, retail, leisure and residential basis for ongoing links to transport work outside markets within Kendal Town Centre. this report. The contents of each component part is summarised below. Further evolution of the Strategy’s principles and design has occurred throughout a consultation Part 1 process during 2016/2017. This included a series of workshops and meetings with District and The Strategy - Sets out a forward view of a County members, as well as partners including successful and prosperous Kendal. Kendal Town Council, Kendal Futures, Kendal BID Key inư uences - Notes the challenges and and the Environment Agency. opportunities that need to be addressed and This document, together with the Kendal Vision, considers the actions which will make the vision reviews potential development sites and achievable. interventions independently and holistically to Strategy themes - Seeks to structure the key provide a town wide transformational vision. inư uences into themes and focus activity Kendal Town Centre Strategy is aligned with the through targeted initiatives. spatial vision set out for town centres in the 2010 Part 2 South Lakeland Local Plan Core Strategy (Policy CS2) and taken forward in Development Opportunity sites - IdentiƮ es a number of sites Management Policies (Policy DM24) which seek in the Town Centre. Each one is looked at to diversify the retail oƬ er, enhance and create a individually in terms of its impact on the Strategy more walkable public realm, encourage themes and